10 Best Places To See In Pondicherry —The French Rivera Of India

Home to the French before independence, the French colony in Pondicherry is one of the most aesthetic and beautiful places. It is also known as the White Town and is the most visited place in all of Pondicherry. This place makes you feel that you have travelled not only somewhere outside of India but also in a different era. All of the buildings are built in the French architectural aesthetic and are also named in French. You must have seen the red bougenvillia trees and mustard-coloured buildings during your research here, and you will find many photographers and artists coming here to capture the beauty of this space. We recommend renting a wespa or another two-vehicle to explore here, as most properties have been turned into cafes, coffee shops, and hotels. Any accommodation here will cost you around INR 5,000-INR 8,000 per night. 

Any google search about Pondicherry, and you will inevitably see the golden globe like structure, which is known as the Matrimandir, situated within Auroville. This universal township is a one-of-a-kind town, inhabited by more than 3,000 people from more than 40 counties. Its a self-sufficient township, meant to realise human unity and strength, built by Sri Aurobindo. Matrimandir is located in the 'Peace Area', showcasing architectural ingenuity and execution. You cannot really enter the inside of this structure, acting as a platform to rejuvenate the spirit within yourself. A total must-visit, with a unique purpose and motto.

Price: Free 

Timings: 7 AM - 9 PM

Eden Beach is a blue-flag beach, meaning that it is absolutely clean and has all the basic necessities and facilities, including a lifeguard on-board, to really make your visit super smooth and successful. Its super well maintained, with well-designed changing rooms as well. You can enjoy swimming here; get into the waters, and have a lot of beach fun with friends and family. 

Price: Free

Timings: Open 24 hours

The main beaches of Pondicherry, like Pondy Beach, Rock Beach, and Promonade Beach, are all pretty close by, and the full stretch is known as one of the three by the locals. The main attraction of these beaches is not only their gorgeous views of the Bay of Bengal but also the vehicle-free pathway for all the visitors to walk on the beach, connect with nature, and sit for hours chilling with their friends. Plus, there are a lot of cute cafes to enjoy some local food, and your walk along the promenade can also lead you to many important spots like the Mahatma Gandhi statue, lighthouse, French War Memorial, Statue of Dupleix, Aayi Mandapam, and Le Cafe.

Price: Free

Timings: Open 24 hours

As the name suggests, Serenity Beach is the most serene, peaceful, and beautiful beaches of Pondicherry. It has gained immense popularity lately, because you get super high tides, making it a perfect spot for surfing. There are many surfing schools nearby, where you can enroll yourself in a day learning program, and if you are pro, then also, Serenity beach is absolutely perfect for you. 

Price: Free

Timings: Open 24 hours

Paradise Beach is just adjacent to Eden Beach, and is clean and well-maintained like its partner. Its coolest feature is that it is surrounded by sea on one side and backwater on the other. You get to take the most scenic boat ride to reach here from Chunnabar Boathouse, which costs around INR 300 per person for a two-way trip. You wouldn't find this one as crowded, and it is perfect for a chill, peaceful day with friends and family.

Price: Free

Timings: Open 24 hours

Located around seven kilometers from Pondicherry, Arikkamedu is a must-visit for all those who love old, archaeological sites and architecture. In older times, it was the ancient Roman trade center, occupied by people from Rome, the Cholas, and the French. Serving as the famous maritime centre from 1st century BC to 2nd Century AD. Packed with history and beauty, this one is a great attraction that should be on your radar. 

Price: Free

Timings: 9 AM - 4:30 PM

Churches are a big attraction point in Pondicherry due to their magnificent baroque architecture. They not only look spectacular from the outside, but they also look spectacular from the inside as well, and along with the Bascilia, you should also check out Immaculate Conception Cathedral and Church, and Our Lady of Angels. 

Price: Free

Timings: 6 AM - 7 PM

In the heat of the French Colony, you will find this magnificent, peaceful building, known as the Sri Aurbindo Ashram. You will find long perpetual ques outside this place, perfect for people who want to gain a little more insight into the topics of spirituality and divinity. You get to know about the philosopher Aurobindo's life, with a more nuanced knowledge of how he created the philosophy of divine life on earth through spiritual evolution. 

Price: Free

Timings: 8 AM - 12 PM

A slightly offbeat destination in Pondicherry is the Pichavaram Forest, which is also known as the second largest mangrove forest in the world. The cool thing about this beautiful place is that it acted as a bioshield during the 2004 tsunami. It meets all the way to the Bay of Bengal, separated by a sand bed, and it is said that it requires a total of one month to explore the area in its complete capacity.

Price: The boat ride costs depends on the hours of the ride, starting at INR 300

Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM